November 2, 2023

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   Anglers on the Rocky River and other area streams are targeting steelhead trout. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting walleye, yellow perch and steelhead and on inland locations they are pursuing fresh stocked rainbow trout and farm raised channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street.
 
Anglers have been catching steelhead and various stray salmon (photos below) in the Rocky, Chagrin and other area streams. The river flow has dropped to a good level after being elevated from rain earlier this week and that looks to continue into a weekend without precipitation in the forecast. Be aware, though, that the number of fallen leaves is adding an additional challenge to river anglers, especially in slower pools. Anglers are also connecting with steelhead off the rocks at Edgewater, E55th, and Wildwood parks.  In the streams fish are being caught on a variety of offerings including dime to nickel size spawn sacks (colored mesh bags containing trout or salmon eggs), live minnows, 1/64  or 1/32 oz jigs tipped with maggots, and salmon egg mimmicking beads drifted under floats in holes and deeper runs.  Fly fishing with egg patterns and streamers is also catching some fish. In streams and lakefront locations anglers are casting spoons ie 2/5 oz Little Cleo or KO Wobbler, medium size spinners (ie Vibrax and Rooster Tail) and crankbaits. Cleveland shoreline areas are also producing increasingly good catches of walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10, Husky Jerk 14 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.
 
Some good catches of yellow perch have turned up along the shoreline at E55th breakwall and the rocks at Edgewater Park. Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station can also produce when water coming out of the nearby Cuyahoga River is not too muddy. They have been biting on emerald shiners and golden shiners fished on the bottom on a crappie rig. Boaters have been getting in on the action, too, with some tracking down limits of yellow perch off Rocky River and Cleveland in 32-36 feet of water. The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon.
 
On Wednesday October 11^th we stocked 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout and 700 lbs of channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street for Fall Family Fishing Fest and many of those fish remain to be caught. Thank you for the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Ohio Division of Wildlife for acquiring a good portion of the funding to assist with these stockings. The trout average a pound each and the catfish average 1-3 lbs, but we included a handful of bigger fish and quite a few golden rainbow trout to spice things up. If you are content catching either species you can try a nightcrawler worm or piece of shrimp fished on the canal bottom.
 
International Fly Fishing Film Festival this Saturday November 4.  Jerry Darkes from CMNH Trout Club shared that the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (not to be mistaken for the Fly Fishing Film Tour in spring) returns to Cleveland this Saturday, Nov. 4, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, at Cleveland Metroparks Emerald Necklace Marina. Cost is $30.00 per person and includes all films, door prizes, raffle, light refreshments, cash bar. Jerry said there should still be tickets available at the door but it’s still wisest to purchase online at: Cleveland International Fly Fishing Film Festival,
 
Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos (fast and easy to complete online).  Photo release waivers for photos sent in for the fishing report can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link: <Smart Waiver link>. You only need to do this one time and any future additional photos submitted are already covered.

If you have a photo that you would like to contribute to the fishing report, or if you have any further questions regarding fishing in the Cleveland Metroparks, you may contact Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec at (440) 331-8017 or [email protected] .

Tight Lines,

Mike


 

Connor and Elyssa are enjoying the incredible fish bounty of fall in the Rocky River and Lake Erie around Cleveland (photos courtesy of Connor Floyd).

Rick caught these steelies by the Rocky River boat ramps on white tube jigs (photos courtesy of Rick Bower).



Pat caught this jumbo yellow perch among her catch off E55th breakwall.



Steelhead are also biting at E55th breakwall (photo courtesy of L. Bos).





  Nick caught this stray coho salmon in the Rocky River. Note the dark mouth and white gums indicative of the species in contrast to a steelhead (white mouth and gums) or king salmon (dark mouth and gums). No agency is currently stocking coho salmon in the lake and this fish is a stray from upstream- likely somewhere in the Huron River basin (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).



Kenny made a nice catch of delicious yellow perch from E55th breakwall.  What time should I be over for the fish fry, Kenny?



Brent caught this chrome bright steelhead swinging flies (photo courtesy of Brent ONeill).





Andrew has been catching walleye consistently after dark casting Husky Jerk 14s along the Lake Erie shoreline (photo courtesy of Andrew Smith).





John had a great day trolling for steelhead off the mouth of the Rocky River.  Here are a few from his catch (photos courtesy of John Burkhart).





Owen caught his family a fresh 26.5” walleye dinner casting a Husky Jerk off the rocks at E72nd on a night when boats were turning back because of waves. He had another get off as well (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).





Another Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI 4 – Fish Tumors and Deformities) has been officially removed from the status of the Cuyahoga River and a celebration is in order!  On Thursday November 16 from 5-6:30pm an event will be hosted at Collision Bend Brewery to recognize This milestone occasion.  Drinks and appetizers will be included in this free event but attendees will need to register at CuyahogaBUIcelebration.eventbrite.com .  As a side note, my staff/volunteers and I had the privilege of assisting US Fish and Wildlife service with the data collection (in 2019 and 2021) that ultimately lead to this BUI delisting.